Seibu suffers a series of accidents due to direct hits from Sumida's left elbow; decision to advance to CS ends in loss with bad taste

An accident struck Seibu, who had already decided to advance to the Climax Series (CS) and was aiming to secure second place. Starting pitcher Sumida was forced to leave the game after being hit by Obukada's ball on his left elbow in the first inning. He slammed his glove on the bench and went to the back. With one out and 1st and 3rd base in a pinch, Yamada took the pitch as the second batter, but he was hit at the right time and contributed two points. The team gave up a total of four points through the third inning.

Sumida was examined at the hospital during the game and returned to the bench with a strained left arm. According to coach Nishiguchi, there was no bone abnormality, just a bruise. There are three games left in the season, and CS begins on October 10th. Sumida said emphatically, ``I'm still feeling strong. I'll do everything I can to get him back as soon as possible. We'll do the best treatment we can as a team.''

The relievers, who have been pitching a lot lately, were forced to do their best, and the fifth pitcher, Yu Nakamura, left the pitcher in the eighth inning of the second inning, complaining of lower back tightness. Although it wasn't serious, there was an accident in the bottom of the 8th inning when No. 4 Nevin was hit by a pitch in the head. In a match where they could have secured second place if they had won, they suffered a loss with a bad taste.